Fire extinguisher



Oct. 17, 1933. Q R D'OLWE 1,931,377

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Jung 17, 1929 M4 A TTORNEYS yen Patented Oct. 17, 1933 UNITED ys'rafllzs "PATENT, ,fj i

1,931,377V FIRE EXTINGUISHER poration of O hio Application June 17, 1929. Serial No. `371,408

17 Claims.

' This invention relates to iire extinguishers, and particularly to fire extinguishers of the chemical reaction type.

Y One of the principal objects of thisinvention is to provide a fire extinguisher mechanism of this type which is simple and sturdy in construction, has long life, is capable of receiving a charge of highly reactive chemicals and provides for a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge and mixing of the chemicals upon use of the mechanism,

and; is constructed to insure reliability Yand e1iec4 tiveness in operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, theaccompanying drawing and appended claims.

In the drawing, in which like characters oi reference designate like parts throughout the sev.

' highly reactive charge comprising a relatively concentrated carbonate solution such asl potassium carbonate within the outer container, and an acid such as chlorosulphonic acid within the inner container. The present extinguisher `is constructed to eect such a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of acid and mixing ofthe chemicals upon inversion of the extinguisher as to cause the pressure to rise slowly and to be maintained throughout a greater portion of the period of discharge, las is required by underwriters4 laboratories. The extinguisher is constructed to be highly reliable and fool-proof in operation. f y

Referring to the drawing, the extinguisher comprises a sheet metal container 10, preferably of sheet copper tinned on the inside, having a portion 11 with `a beaded edge 12 which serves as a base on which the container may set when in upright position. The lowerend of theV container is closed by a sheet metal bottom 13 which may be fastened to the wall of the Vouter shell in any suitable manner such as by soldering. The top of the shell is provided with a centrally arranged opening which receives therein'a cover 4casting 14,

. preferably copper, to which this end of the shell is soldered. The upper end of the cover casting .14 is threaded to receive thereon a cover member 15 carrying aA suitable handle 1.6, which as shown is in the form of a ring to serve as a base upon which the extinguisheris adapted to rest when inverted. Y i

. Adjacent the upper end of the extinguisher, and ypassing through the wall of thev extinguisher shell isa discharge casting 20. This casting `is provided with an enlarged shoulder 21 .which is soldered to the shell; Attached as by soldering to the inner end of the casting, is a `flaring sheet metal member 22 receiving a screen 23, and the outer end of the casting is provided with a` threaded nipple 24 which receives the 'usual ilexiblehose 25 carrying a discharge nozzle 26. i

When van acid such as chlorosulphonic acid is used, it is preferable to provide a hermetically sealed/acid container to prevent fumingandcor-- rosion. In order to insure proper operation of the` extinguisher 4upon inversion when such a sealed acid container is used, the inner container is provided with a frangible closure, and means are provided for positively breaking the vfrangible closure Yupon inversion. As shown, theA upper end of the innerface of the cover casting 14 is offset to provide ashoulder uponj which an an.- nular ring or supporting member 31 rests. The

member 31 is preferably a metal casting and has f a downwardly depending portion 32 and an in.-v Wardly extending annular ring portion 33. Connected to the portion 33 as by soldering is a sheet l metal tube 35. The tube is closed at its lowerend space within the outer container through a seriesy of -ports 39 formed, through the annular ringmember, the tube -thus opening above the normal liquid level withinthe outer container 10. Y Restingwithin the tube is a hermetically sealed acid bottle 40. Slidably mounted Within annpstanding boss 42 of the cover 15is a; break--v ing plunger 43.' ThisV plunger comprisesan outer part-indicated at 44 having at its inner -end which extends through the cover 15 to the iny terior of the extinguisher an inner threaded bore shown in Fig. 1 and indicatedat 46. Within the extinguisher is a lsecond inner plunger part 47 having an upper exteriorly threaded fend of smaller diameter 48.*which is detachably received within thevbore 46. The `part 44 has at its inner end an exteriorly screw threaded portion 49 of smaller diameter than the upper portion of the part 44 to thereby form a shoulder 50.r The threaded end 49 passes through a circular opening in a sealing flexible diaphragm 52 which is rmly clamped at its periphery between the uppersurface of the cover casting 14 and the lower surfacegof` thecover 15. This diaphragmrmay be formedof 'any suitable iiexiblematerialwhich is adapted to yield to permit movement ofthe plunger 43, rubber being very satisfactory for this purpose. Inv order to clamp the diaphragm 52 rmly to the plunger 43,'a metal washer 54 isrpositioned above the diaphragm 52 and about the threaded end 49, the washer being of such size as to contact with the shoulder 50. Threaded on the inner end of the threaded portion 49 and on the opposite side of the diaphragm52 from the washer 54 isl athread'ed-nut orthumb 56. The upper end of the plunger A43 carries a cover cap 57 fastened thereto in any suitable manner` as by la rivet 58, and a spring `59- is interposed-between the cap 57 andthe top of theboss v 42 tonormallyurge the plunger and sealing diaphragm to yitsupper position tight against the cover 15 tofthereby'prevent leakage. Y

The construction of the cover andl plunger parts is'such'that the plunger may be complet'elyfassembled upon-the coverbefore the cover is mounte'd upon the extinguisher.' With the cover 15 rei, ed -in place upon the exposed threaded :end 49 beneath the cover 15, and thediaphragm52 ris then positioned over this end Yand the washer and-diaphragm are rmly clamped in position on the plunger against the shoulder 50 byscrewing'on the-thumb screw 56. The'inner part of 47 ofthe plunger is then-screwed intoplace within the bore 46. The cover is then ready to bemounted in place `upon the extinguisher, and asf-the cover 15 is screwed downupon the exterior threads of the casting -14 the outer *periphery ofthe diaphragm 52 isr'mlyclampedin sealing relation between the top surface of the casting 14 and the bottom of the cover 15. A

I It is found, whenV usingva charg'evcomprising a solution containing per unit volume large quantities of carbonate and an acid ksuch as chlorosulphonic acid, thatthe initial reaction. of the chemicals is very violent, and 'the gas pressure tends to buildup too rapidly when theconventional'extinguisher constructions are used.v In accordance with this invention, the parts are so constructed that the plunger43 -Iirst functions to break `the frangible closure of vthe `acid bottle 40,' and-then serves to 'effect a controlled limitingof the'rate' of discharge of acid'from the container. This'is accomplished by providing the inner container 40 with a metering orice-of predetermined size into which the lower part v47 ofthe plunger 43 is adapted to project when the parts'are irl-'feeding position, the sise of the plunger being `coordinated with "the sizeof the metering orice to materiallyfrestrict the openingy resulting from the breaking ofthe frangiblec'lo'sure of the container.V

- The construction Vof the acid bottle 40 is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. As shown, the bottle may :be anordinary 'thickwalled glass bottle 65 7,. charge is introduced into the bottle. Mounted over this lling opening on the neck of 'the bottlf? of the inturned portion preferably rests upon the gtop of the bottle.

Athefrangible disk 67 therebeneath. The cap rthan the opening of the orice 75.

is a thin frangible disk 67, such as a glass disk. This disk is firmly clamped in place between asbestos washers 68 and 69 by a metal cap member 76 which is threaded upon the neck 66. Positioned over these parts is a metal metering member 72, which as shown may be formed as a metal stamping Ihaving' a depending skirt portion 73 which'surrounds the'bottleneck. The upper portion of the stamping is inturned and downwardly inclined as indicated at 74, and the lower end This nturned portion forms a circular orice 75 of predeterminedrestrcted size which is positioned directly in alignment with memberv 70 is also provided with a circular openingf77,'so that the frangible disk 67 is directly exposed when the parts are in place through the oriiice. 7,5 and the opening 77. The stamping 72 is preferably fastened to the bottle by means of aplastic cementindicated at 78,v suchas a mixture of sodium silicate and chinafclay, plasterv of Paris, or a mixture of litharge and vgly'c'zerine.- A cement-composed lof va mixture'of sodium silicate j and china clay is preferred for thisfpurpose 'as it 100 remains plastic for longer-periods, *is easierfto handle-and is quitefresistantto acid. 4 I' In preparing the charge holding container .orbottle 40 with acid chargeftherein.- the acid-isv ii'rst poured in through-the open mouth ofthe 105 bottle, and then the'washer 68disk 67 andwasher 69 are positioned in order within" the-cap v70 which is screwed down tight upon the threaded bottle neck to' hermetically sealthe bottle. A l quantity 'of' plastic Cement fis thenfplaced'jabout 1'10 the bottle neck, or within the depending skirt 73 of themetal stamping, lor-both, and the neck of the bottle inserted withinltheskirt untilthe lower surface of the inturned portion 74 'contacts with the top of the-bottle. The"e`xcess'cement1'15 is scraped off, and the bottle laid aside to per-v` mit the cement to set to firmly attach the metering member/'over the frangible Vclosure ofthe' bottle.- The bottle neck is preferably formed with t an irregular surface suchV as a rib 79, which serves 120 to provide a'better cementing connection.

In operation, `the container 10 is inverted and bumped down upon the iioor or other'convenient surface to drive the plunger 43 inwardly.' The length of the plunger 43 'on the'exterior ofthe 125 cover is such-that-'theupper'surfaceof the'cap 57 `protrudes a short distance above the top of the handle 16.` When the extinguisher is thus bumped downupon-the floor, the cap 57 land l l plunger 43 are Vmovedinwardly until the "handle 1'30 lrcontacts with the floor, which serves to`V limit the' inward driving movementof the plunger. Should'the plunger ybe driven inwardly by hand before the extinguisher is inverted, the lower surn face 86 of the cap 57-is adapted to contact -fwith 135 they top of the'cover l5 to limit*- the movement i of the plunger. -The inner endof'the' part 47 of the plunger is provided with a breaking 'projection adapted to shatter the'frangible disk r67 so that enough of the glass ofthe disk is' removed 14"() to provide an opening whichv islarg'er inftextent The lopening in the bottleneck is also larger in cross-section than'the orice 75 so that this ericefthenb'ecomes the effective metering orifice. 'Y Avery'suit-y 145 able form of breaking projection is that shown', which comprises a plurality yof radially extending ribs 81,` the lower surface of veach of which is inclined downwardly asiat 82'lso that fall the lribs meet ih'"af'breal'iingy point 83. With Su'ch' a con-,i155 l struction and with a thin frangible disk 67, it is found that the'impact ofthe extinguisher upon the iioor is sufficient to completely shatter the disk 67 in the mannerv described, so that the disk 67 shears off adjacent its area of support on the rim of the bottle neck 66 as shown in Fig. 3.

l After the extinguisher is inverted and the frangible closure 67 broken, the bottle 40 being movably mounted within the tube slides down this tube about the plunger part 47 to the feeding position illustrated in Fig. 3. The bottle is preferably provided with outwardly extending ribs to insure a positive sliding movement, as well as to guide the descent of the bottle so that the point 83 of the plunger enters the large opening formed by the inclined surface '74 which guides the point into and through the orifice 75 of the metering member. As soon as acid is discharged from the -bottle 40 and mixes with the carbonate solution, the gas pressure developed coupled with the tension in the spring 59 forces the plunger and sealing diaphragm 52 back into sealing engagement with the cover 15 to prevent gas leakage. This construction eliminates the necessity of a packing box for the plunger and provides a freely operable construction ywhich will not stick after long periods of non-use. The bottle 40 slides down about the plunger 43 in its retracted position untill the metering member 72 comes into engagement with the projections 86 formed on thenut 56. As shown, the ordinary diametrically opposed projections of the thumb screw which permit easy manual operation may be used to limit the downward movement of the bottle 40. The acid discharges at a limited rate through the restricted annular channel 87 formed between the outer surface of the plunger part 47 and the periphery of the orifice 75, and thence through the space between the projections 86 of the thumb screwinto the chamber 38.

` i 'When the extinguisher is inverted, the `liquid within `the outer container rushes downwardly and into the annular channel 90 formed between a. tubular sheet metalmember 91 carried by. the supporting member 31 and the outer surface of the tube 35. The tubular member 91 is of a size to surround-the vupper end ofthe tube 35 in such spaced relationas to provide a restricted channel 90, which cooperates with the restricted ports 39, to effect controlled limiting of lthe rate of mixing of the chemicals. With this construction, the expelling gas pressure rises at a controlled rate, and effective gas pressure is maintained throughout a greater portion of the period of discharge. Y v V- When it is desired to supply a fresh charge to the extinguisher, the cover'15 and attached parts including the plunger 43 and diaphragm 52 are removed by unscrewing the cover. The supporting member 31 may then be readily lifted outk of the outer casing 10 to remove the tube 35 and inner container 40. The inner container may be reused if desired by removing the metal stamping member and Acap 70 and replacing these with new parts, or a new acid bottle assembly may be provided. The basic charge is supplied to the outer container 10, and then the supporting member 31 with acid'bottle 40 in place within the tube 35 is inserted within the neck of the extinguisher until theV supporting member contacts with the 4 shoulder 30. The cover 15 is then replaced and i the extinguisher is ready for further use.

YWhile the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the ini. vention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to Vthis precise` form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein' without departing from the scope of theinvention which is defined in the appended claims.

What isclaimed is: y,

l. Ina-fire extinguisher of thecharacter described, an outer container having a bore, a breaking plunger including a rod slidably mounted in'said bore ofthe container and extending to the exterior thereof, a cap for the rod on the exterior of the outer container, said rod having within the container and exterior screw-threaded `portion .and a shoulder formed thereon at the outer end of the screw-threaded portion, a flexible sealing diaphragm mountedr` for sealingthe v bore receiving said plunger rod mounted within said container and having its outer portion fixed relative to said container, receiving therethrough the screw-threaded portion ofsaid rod, a washer positioned between said diaphragm and said shoulder and adapted to bear against the interior of said container, a second washer ron the opposite side of said diaphragm from said first Washer` threaded on `said screw-threaded portion and clamping said diaphragm firmly between said scribed, an outer container having a bore, a Y

breaking plunger including afrod slidably mount-A ed in the bore in said container and extending to the exterior thereof, a `cap'for the rod on the.

exterior of said outer container, said rod including an outer part extending through said container and having a-screw-threaded bore in thev inner -end thereof, and an innerfdetachable part having a screw-threaded end received Within said bore, said outer party having an exterior shoulder adjacent its inner end andexterior screw threads on the inner side of said shoulder, a flexible sealing diaphragm mounted for sealing the`bore re,- ceiving said plunger' rod within said container and having its outer portion fixed relative to vsaid container,v said diaphragm receiving therethroughl the exteriorly threaded end of said outer plunger part, aY washer positioned within the ,container about said plunger between said diaphragm. and4 said shoulder and adapted to bear againstvthe interior of 'said container, a clamping nut on the' opposite side of said diaphragm threaded'on said exterior screw threads and clamping said "diaphragm firmly between said washer'and nut and against said shoulder, and resilient means actingbetween saidy container and said rod for normally holding said first mentioned washer in engage"-l mentl with the interior of said container, so that the said washer extends across from the interior' of the container to the shoulder on the rod and 3. In a fire extinguisher of -the character -described, a container having a'llingopening and las adapted to hold a quantity of liquid,a frangible disk closure for said filling opening," and cover means serving to clamps'aid vfrangible disk closure in place to hermetically seal said container,

said cover means having an orifice of predetermined restricted size through which the' liquid Within the contai'ner'is adapted to dischargeafter breaking of said frangible disk closure to effect a controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of liquid from'thev container. l y

f4.y In a-iire extinguisher of the Vcharacter described, a container adapted to hold a quantity of liquid, a frangibl disk closure for said container, a member for fastening said disk in place on the container to `hermetically seal the container, and aA metering member overlying said first mentioned Amember and attached tovk said container, said metering member having an oriiice of predetermined size through which the fla liquidwithin said container is adapted to discharge after breaking of said frangible disk closure.

v 5. In a nre extinguisher of the character described, an acid bottle adapted to contain an acid and; having a threaded neck portion, a frangible disk 'closure' for said neck portion, a screw cap for holding said closure in place to hermetically seal said bottle, and a metering member overlying said screw cap and attached to said bottle, said metering member having an orifice or" predetermined size through which the liquid Within said container is adapted to discharge after breaking of s aid frangible closure. v

' 6.-`In a* fire extinguisher ofthe character described, a container adaptedto hold a quantity of'liquid, a frangible disk closure for said container, a member for fasteningsaid disk in place to hermetically seal said container, and a metering member overlying'said iirst mentioned memberand cemented to r'said container, said 'metering member having an oriiice of predetermined size through which the liquid Within said fcontainer is adapted'to dischargeafter breaking of said frangible disk. q

' '7. vIn a fire extinguisher of the character described, an acid bottle adapted to contain an acid and having a threaded neck portion, arrangible disk closure vfor said neck portion, a screw cap threaded 'onto' said neck portion to'clamp said disk in placel to hermeticallyseal said bottle, a metal stamping having a depending'skirt surrounding said neck portion and an inturned portion resting upon said bottle top and form- 557 ingY a metering orice of predetermined size above said frangible disk through which the acidV Within said bottle is adapted to dischargel afterA breaking of said frangible disk, and` a cement positionedbetween said metal stamping and said neckportion to attach the stamping tothe bottle.

-8. In a fire eXtinguisherof-the character de- A scribed, a container adaptedto hold -a quantity of liquid, a frangible disk'closureifor said container, a cap member for clamping said frangible disk in place to hermetically seal'said container, i

said cap member having an opening onthe outer side of said frangible disk, and a metering member overlying said cap member and attached tov said container, said metering member having an orifice of predetermined restricted size through which the'liquid within saidcontainer is adapted to discharge after breaking of said frangible disk closure, said orifice being smaller` than said opening in the cap member and smaller than the effective opening of the container `that results upon breaking of the frangiblev disk. l

` 9. A iire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container adapted toreceive a liquid, a hermetically sealed frangible inner container adapted toI hold a second liquid lso for reaction with said rst mentioned liquid Aupon y operation of the extinguisher, said inner container' having `a discharge orifice of predetermined vrestricted size,v and a movably mounted breaking plunger adapted to break said frangible containensaid plunger and said innerlcontailner beingjso cooperatively arranged that the plunger is positioned Within said oriiice of the inner container lduring the period ofl liquid discharge therefrom to effect a limiting of the rate of discharge of liquid therefrom. A

10. A ire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer containeradapted tov receive ra liquid, a hermetically sealed-frangible inner container adapted to contain a second liquidior reaction with said iirst mentioned liquid, said inner container having a metering orifice 'through which the liquid therein is adapted to dischargeafter breaking of said frangible container, and a movably mounted breaking plunger adapted to break said frangible container and then cooperatewith said metering oriiice to restrict the discharge of liquid therefrom, the size of the metering orifice being coordinated with the size ofthe plunger to effect afcontrolled limiting of the rate of discharge of liquid from the inner container.` p -11. An invertible nre extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container adapted to receive a liquid, a hermetically sealed frangible inner container having a metering oriceand movably mounted therein and adapted'to contain a second liquid forreaction with said kiirst mentioned Iliquid,l a movably mounted breaking plunger adaptedfto break said frangible container forl discharge'of -the liquid through said meteringoriiice, the construction being such that upon. inversion of the f extinguisher and after breaking4 ofl saidinnercontainer the latter then slides to feeding position about said plunger with the plunger entering Within the said metering oriiicel to provide a restricted channel between the plunger and the Wall of the oriice to effect controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of liquid fromthe innerA container. l

12.--A fire extinguisher of the character de^ container, the construction being such that upon inversionY ofthe extinguisherand after breaking ofsaid frangible container the said container then slides'tol feeding position about said plungerk with the plunger extending Within theorifice'of said meteringrnember, and means for limiting the sliding movement Voi said inner container, the size ofthe plunger being coordinatedwith the size of the said oriiice ofthe metering m'em-y ber to eiect a controlled limiting of the rateof discharge of liquid from the inner container.

13. A fire extinguisher of the *character described, comprising an outer container adapted to receive a liquid, a hermetically sealed frangible inner container movably mounted therein and adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said rst mentioned liquid, a breaking plunger movably mounted Within the extinguisher and operable from the exterior to break said frangible container, said container then sliding to feeding position about said plunger on inversion, a sealing diaphragm within said outer container for said plunger, and means for fastening said diaphragm to said plunger, said means having a projection thereon for limiting the sliding movement of said inner container.

14. In a fire extinguisher of the character describer, an outer container, a sealed inner container therein, a removable plunger slidably mounted in said outer container and extendingto the exterior thereof, said plunger being adapted to eiect opening of said inner container, a ilexible sealing diaphragm within said outer container having a. portion connected to and movable with said plunger and another portion held in fixed position relative to said outer container, means urging said plunger toward an inoperative position, and means carried by said outer container for limiting the said movement of the plunger, the construction being such that when said plunger is held in its normal inoperative position the said iexible sealing diaphragm is disposed in a substantially iiat and untensioned position.

15. In a re extinguisher of the character described, an outer container, a hermetically sealed inner containerv movably mounted Within said outer container, a movably mounted breaking plunger adapted to effect opening of said inner container, guiding means for said inner oon- `tainer arranged so that after movement ofthe plunger to open said inner container the inner container then `slides into feeding position about said plunger with the plunger entering the broken end of said inner container, means for limiting the movement of the plunger, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the inner container whereby the inner container in feeding position is in xed position relative to said plunger.

16. In a fire extinguisher of the character described, an outer container adapted to receiveva liquid, a hermetically sealed inner container movable mounted therein and adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said rstrmen-A 4 tioned liquid upon inversioniof the extinguisher,

means for supporting, said inner container in upy right position of the extinguisher and for guiding said inner container in its movement upon Y inversion of the extinguisher, a breaking plunger movably mounted in said outer container in alignment With said inner container, means for normally maintaining said plunger -in position with the `breaking end thereof in spaced relation to said inner container, said means serving to return said plunger to sa'id normalA position after movement of the plunger to effect opening of said inner container, the construction'being such that upon inversion of the extinguisher and aftery opening of the inner container by the plunger the said inner container then slides into feeding position about said plunger with the plunger positioned Within the open portion of said inner container, and means for limiting the said 4sliding movement ofsaid inner container, whereby the inner container in feeding position is in fixed position relative to said plunger.

17. In a fire extinguisher of the character de-` scribed, an outer container adapted to receive a liquid, a hermetically sealed innercontainer movably mounted therein and adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said iirst mentioned liquid upon inversion of the extinguisher, a tube for supporting said inner container, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end being open and in communication with the space within said outer container, a breaking plunger movably mounted in said outer container in alignment with the open end of said tube and adapted to effect opening of said inner container, means urging said plunger away from said inner container, means for limiting the said movement of the plunger, said inner container being supported Within said tube adjacent the breaking end of the plunger, the construction being such that upon inversion of the extinguisher and after opening of the inner container by the plunger the said inner container then slides down said tube into feeding position about the plunger which has returned to normal retracted position, the plungerY being then positioned withinV CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,931,377. october 17, 1933.

CHARLES R. DoLlvE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 18, after "thumb" insert the word screw; page 5, lines 15-16, claim 14, for "describer" read described; and line 17, for "removable" read movable; line 44, claim 15, after "container" insert a comma; and line 50, claim 16, for "movable" read movably; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of November, A. D. 1933.

M. Hopkins (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

